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TO CONGRATULATE MRS. ODESSA GILLARD DORSEY OF WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY ON THE OCCASION OF HER NINETY-FIFTH BIRTHDAY, AND TO WISH HER A JOYOUS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AND MANY YEARS OF CONTINUED HEALTH AND HAPPINESS.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are delighted to learn that Mrs. Odessa Gillard Dorsey of Williamsburg County will be honored by family and friends on Saturday, January 17, 2015, to celebrate her ninety-fifth birthday; and
Whereas, born in Hemingway on January 15, 1920, in the early part of the twentieth century, she has witnessed the many remarkable social changes, technological advancements, and international developments that have spanned the globe from that time into the second decade of the twenty-first century; and
Whereas, Odessa Gillard attended the public schools of Williamsburg County and married Mr. Johnnie Dorsey. Together they reared six fine children: Willie Mae, Corliss, Patricia, Kenneth, Priscilla, and Eunice; and
Whereas, Mrs. Dorsey gave her children a strong upbringing filled with love and faith, and added to the blessing of their success, they have blessed her with many adoring grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and
Whereas, as a lifelong member of Chavis African Methodist Episcopal Church in Hemingway, she has grown spiritually and served her church, her family, and her community faithfully; and
Whereas, in her early years, Mrs. Dorsey worked on the farm and was a housekeeper for many families in the Hemingway area. On April 9, 1966, she became the first African-American woman to be employed by Wellman Industries; and
Whereas, with a keen interest in the political world, she was the first black woman to register to vote in Hemingway and vividly recalls the day she read a paragraph so that she could be issued her voter registration card; and
Whereas, Odessa Dorsey believes in the power of prayer and heartily gives God the praise for all the many blessings He has bestowed upon her in her long and joyful life; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to honor this daughter of South Carolina at the celebration of her ninety-fifth birthday and join with her family and friends in congratulating her on reaching this extraordinary milestone. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate Mrs. Odessa Gillard Dorsey of Williamsburg County on the occasion of her ninety-fifth birthday, and wish her a joyous birthday celebration and many years of continued health and happiness.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Mrs. Odessa Gillard Dorsey.
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